I'm not fussed over the need to read starting from number one -- but I don't go out of my way to avoid it.
I started Sue Grafton at
P is for Peril, enjoyed it and went on to
A is for Alibi ... which is altogether a stronger book and made me see why Grafton has such a strong following. But then there are time constraints ... I've made it through
B is for Burglar ... don't know when I'll hit
C is for Corpse. And she's well ahead of me ...
U is for Undertow is already out!
I am reading Agatha Christie in published order and, while I'd wanted to do that with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, that didn't happen. I'd love to read (or re-read) the entire Erle Stanley Gardner Perry Mason novels in order but, alas, virtually none of them are in print.
I made a concious decision to read Louise Penny's Inspector Armand Gamache in order (she is up to seven novels) because I figured I'd be able to catch up with her over time.
But I started Laurie R King's terrific Mrs Sherlock Holmes series about eight books in, loved it, and am consciously working through from number one. As it turns out, I adored reading number one second because so many loose ends planted in it happened to be resolved in book eight (which I'd already read); I was impressed on how well planned the series truly is.
And by a fluke I read Elizabeth George's
A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynely #1) and will attempt to tackle others in order; but went out of my way to start Ruth Rendell at
From Doon With Death (Inspector Wexford # 1) and am glad of it.
It's impossible to read Georges Simenon's Maigret in order so I'm focussed on what's actually available (which, in English, is depressingly little).
Having said this, I noticed that of the 70 novels I have reviewed over at Goodreads, 27 are first novels and many part of a series.
What's actively on my ereader right now? Erle Derr Biggers'
The House Wiithout a Key (Charlie Chan # 1) and Charles Todd's
A Test of Wills (Inspector Rutledge #1) so, I guess, it's more one than not.